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Season Two – Episode Thirteen

The Children of Ukraine

This is Barbara Lane. I know I told you I would release the next episode of Lucy’s Story, but today I think the events of the world require me to shift focus, just a bit, and speak to the needs of the children of war. I am specifically, today, speaking about the children of Ukraine. I, as many, am morally outraged.

Let’s talk about this for a moment. Childhood trauma comes in many ways: abandonment, loss, separation, hunger, thirst, cold, abuse... all of these things are happening to the children in Ukraine. My intent is not to take focus off of the abused and neglected children that Lucy’s story represents, because the types of experiences Lucy’s story details are going on right this moment, as we speak. My intent is to take an even wider lens and shed some light on the pain and suffering children experience during war.

Evil has no need for a reason to spread its darkness. There is no empathy found in darkness. There is no love, except for the self, which, of course, could not be loving in any way, shape or form.

How evil it is to cause 1 million or more children to flee from Ukraine into neighboring countries, often alone, without their parents who stay behind to fight? How do they deal with separation and anxiety? Coming to terms with their loss will take a life-time, if it happens at all.

How dark can it be to reportedly strike a children’s hospital in Ukraine, despite a ceasefire, that buried children under the debris? Call evil what it is when children suffering from cancer need to be relocated perhaps to have their treatments disrupted—perhaps nonexistent. And who can excuse striking a maternity ward?

What happens to a child who is fearful of the next missile, unable to sleep, fleeing from their home, their playgrounds, their schools and their schoolmates with nothing but a backpack? 

Now, I’m not a reporter, and get my information the same way you do. But I am a human being, with a heart, as are you, and it aches for these children and their families.

I ask myself what can I do to help? I ask you, what can you do to help?

First, we can pray, and at the end of this short podcast, I will lead us in prayer for the people of Ukraine—and their children. No matter your faith, creed or belief, join me in uniting our voices in prayer.

Secondly, we can contribute to organizations that send support directly to the children and families of Ukraine. Beware of scams.  It’s shameless that we have to watch out for these types of crimes, and, they are crimes, crimes against children and their families.

I would refer you to a website, listed below in the description. Go to https://www.today.com/news/news/5-verified-charities-working-help-ukrainians-invasion-rcna17590 to find a list of 5 verified charities working to help ukranianas. Do your research. Make sure your contribution goes where it will truly be of help.

And now, for prayer.

Please take a moment of silence to settle yourself and to find that place of peace and calm that is deep within you. In our mind’s eye, may we envision joining together, hand in hand, to send our prayers up to the heavens. 

Dear Holy One, Our Father, The Christ, The Ultimate:

We join together, hearts and souls, different but the same, with a common prayer, asking that our fellow brothers and sisters in Ukraine be aware of your ever-present comfort, support and love. Help us all to remember that the dark shadows cast upon the world can never hide the light of your love—that no matter what occurs, nothing can change the truth that we are one with you. Where life and death are at stake, may we focus on our life-everlasting—our eternal spirits, and their true and, undefeatable  existence found surrounded by your love a